Test site

North Korea’s nuclear tests are causing babies to be born with defects, it was reported today. Defectors from Kilju county, where the Punggye-ri underground nuclear test facility is located, also said 80% of trees that are planted die and underground wells have run dry. The shocking witness accounts come from a group of 21 defectors who were interviewed by the Research Association of Vision of North Korea, according to the South Korean Chosun Ilbo newspaper. They emerged as US President Donald Trump urged North Korea to ‘come to the table’ and discuss giving up its nuclear weapons. Mr Trump said he ‘hoped to God’ he did not have to use the US military against Pyongyang. He was speaking at a press conference with his South Korean counterpart Moon Jae-in in Seoul, as part of his tour of Asia. The US leader has previously threatened ‘fire and fury’ against Pyongyang. He is on a five-nation tour of Asia, where North Korea’s nuclear … [Read more...] about Babies near North Korea’s nuclear test site are being ‘born with birth defects’

FEARS are growing trigger-happy Kim Jong-un is planning another missile outrage NEXT WEEK - after satellite images show his nuke launchpads are on standby.The potty despot tested his fifth and most recent nuclear missile on September 9 last year on the Day of the Foundation of the North Korean Republic.And it's now believed he may do the same again on the day those living in the rogue state will be forced to mark the 69th anniversary of ruthless Kim Il-sung coming to power.Kim shocked the world on Monday when he launched a non-nuclear ballistic missile OVER Japan and into the Pacific Ocean.New satellite images from CNES show North Korea's Punggye-ri nuclear test site remains on "standby", according to 38 North , a think-tank that monitors North Korea.Their analysts said: "As long as the site remains in standby status, we cannot rule out that a sixth nuclear test could be conducted at any time with minimal advance warning."They added: "One report more specifically stated … [Read more...] about Satellite images ‘show North Korean nuclear test site is on standby’ – sparking fears of a sixth nuke test NEXT WEEK

SOUTH Korea has responded to Kim-Jong-un's latest nuke test with a live-fire simulation of an attack on his test site.Seoul's Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said the drill involved F-15 fighter jets and the country's land-based "Hyunmoo" ballistic missiles and that the released live weapons "accurately struck" a target in the sea off the country's eastern coast.The JCS says that the target was set considering the distance to where the North's test site was and the exercise was aimed at practising precision strikes and cutting off reinforcements.The news comes after North Korea conducted its sixth and most powerful nuclear test on Sunday.The test triggered an 6.3-magnitude artificial quake - ten times larger than any of North Korea's previous attempts.It was seen as a direct challenge to Trump, who has vowed to stop North Korea developing nuclear weapons that could threaten the United States.Hours after the test, US President took to Twitter, writing: "North Korea … [Read more...] about South Korea responds to Kim Jong-un’s nuke test with live-fire simulation of an attack on his test site

SATELLITE images of North Korea’s nuclear test site show staff playing volleyball.US monitors said the bizarre sight could be a “deception plan” to confuse observers.The images were taken on Easter Sunday, the day after tyrant Kim Jong-un oversaw a huge parade of missiles.A war of words continued as it threatened the US with a “super-mighty pre-emptive strike”.Joe Bermudez, an expert with 38 North, said the unexpected activity could either mean the test site has gone into "standby mode" and personnel were being allowed down-time for recreation or that the games were part of a "deception plan" intended to confuse observers to when a test might be carried out as North Korea knows the site is under constant observation.He said: "We see that at three locations in the facility - in the main administrative area, at the support area, at the command centre and at the guard barracks near the command centre - they have volleyball games going on."The latest threat … [Read more...] about Bizarre satellite images suggest North Korean nuke test site is actually volleyball court

A SHROUD of secrecy around Amazon's latest drone testing has culminated in a stand off between photographers and security on the outskirts of Cambridge.In a hostile confrontation, security marched a group of men away from the testing area, refusing to answer any questions and insisting they leave immediately.Photographer Dean Cranston said locals had become increasingly intrigued by what was happening on the field, which sits about 10 miles south of Cambridge.He and two other photographers decided to check out the site after locals became worried and curious about what was happening - but they were confronted by unhappy security.He said locals had been baffled by the "cloak and dagger" activities.Speaking to the Sun Online, he said: "Amazon is obviously ploughing tens of millions of dollars into the future of how to deliver parcels."They have basically hired a farmer's field in Cambridge, taking it over and doing something there on the land."He said security armed with ear … [Read more...] about Moment heavy-handed security guards stop cameramen from getting near to Amazon drone testing site

AMAZON's top-secret preparation to begin delivering parcels by drone is taking place - in the middle of a Cambridgeshire field.Testers for the highly-anticipated project have erected a giant wall of hay-bales near their research and development park.And the site is continuously monitored by beefy security guards.The internet giant plans to start delivering packages to customers within 30 minutes of purchase.It revealed its delivery drone last year - a flying robot which can travel at 50mph for ten miles and carry parcels of around 3kg.They would fly at a height of around 400ft.The Civil Aviation Authority lifted strict regulations on drones in July that would allow Amazon to begin testing the project.And the latest pictures reveal it is already well on its way to making the groundbreaking idea a reality.One local said that security around the site - which is about the size of a football pitch - was already noticeably strict.He told the Mail: "I was walking near the field and I was told … [Read more...] about Pictures reveal Amazon’s top-secret Cambridge testing site for drone delivery service

NORTH Korea has been rocked by a 2.9 magnitude earthquake that struck near Kim Jong-un’s nuclear test site.It comes after a 6.1-magnitude magnitude quake last month, which Pyongyang claims was the result of hydrogen bomb test.Today’s quake was recorded 23km north east of Sungjibaegam, which has been used by the secret state to carry out nuclear drills.A statement on the US Geological Survey website reads: “This event occurred in the area of the previous North Korean Nuclear tests.“The event has earthquake like characteristics, however, we cannot conclusively confirm at this time the nature (natural or human-made) of the event.”A 3.4 magnitude quake last month near the same location sparked fears there could have been another nuclear test.But officials later said it was probably natural or caused by a tunnel collapse.All of North Korea's previous six nuclear tests caused earthquakes with a magnitude of 4.3 or above.Fears are mounting that the … [Read more...] about North Korea earthquake – 2.9 magnitude tremor strikes near Kim Jong-un’s nuclear test site

The earthquake was registered by the China Earthquake Network Center at 9:30 a.m. Beijing time (0130 UTC) on Wednesday. According to the US Geological Survey, the epicenter of the quake was in the northeast of North Korea, some 50 kilometers (30 miles) northwest of Kilju city. If correct, the epicenter would have been directly next to the Punggye-ri nuclear test site. South Korea's Yonhap news agency said ministers were holding an emergency meeting. "We suspect a man-made earthquake and are analyzing the scale and epicenter of the quake with the geo-science and mineral resource institute of South Korea," a Korea Meteorological Administration official told Reuters news agency. North Korea has conducted three nuclear tests in the last 10 years, the most recent of which was in February 2013. If confirmed, the test would raise fears that Pyongyang is persevering in its efforts to build a warhead, small enough to be mounted on a missile and capable of reaching the shores of mainland … [Read more...] about Earthquake detected close to North Korea’s nuclear test site possibly ‘man-made’

As North Korea prepares to mark the 70th anniversary of the Kim Jong Un-led Workers' Party of Korea (WPK), there is growing speculation that the communist regime may conduct a fourth nuclear test or launch a satellite on or around October 10 as part of what is expected to be one of the country's biggest celebrations in years. The rumors have been fueled by Pyongyang's announcement on September 15 that it restarted the long-mothballed Yongbyon reactor - capable of producing weapons-grade plutonium - and was working to improve the "quality and quantity" of weapons which it could use against the United States at "any time." The regime added that it reserved the "legitimate right of a sovereign state" to carry out the launch of a rocket to put a satellite into orbit, a move US officials see as a potential test for ballistic missile technology. In fact, new research suggests the North Koreans may be moving toward that goal. Analysts at the US-Korea Institute at Johns Hopkins School of … [Read more...] about ‘New activity’ detected at N. Korean nuclear test site

The world will hold its breath Saturday as North Korea celebrates the 105th anniversary of the birth of its founder Kim Il-Sung. The US-based 38 North monitoring group reported late on Wednesday that satellite images suggested Pyongyang is prepared to conduct its next nuclear test, describing the test site as "primed and ready." "Commercial satellite imagery of North Korea's Punggye-ri Nuclear Test Site from April 12 shows continued activity around the North Portal, new activity in the Main Administrative Area, and a few personnel around the site's Command Center," the group said. Such a test would coincide with the country's biggest national celebrations, known as "Day of the Sun," on Saturday. Pyongyang has often used the date to mark a show of strength. In 2012, North Korea tried but failed to launch a long-range missile carrying a satellite, while last year it tested a barrage of newly developed intermediate-range missiles. The North has invited some 200 foreign journalists to … [Read more...] about North Korea could conduct nuclear test on day of celebration